Northwestern at USC Game Matchup
Northwestern logo Northwestern Wildcats at USC TrojansUSC logo
Saturday, November 8th 2025 (12:00 AM EST)
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum - Los Angeles, CA  (Big Ten)

 
Wildcats (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach David Braun (12 - 13)
Avg Score : 18 - 26 (18 - 29 on Road)
Record Prediction: 3.7 - 8.3 (#124)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 3) (Good: 4) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 3)
NW coming off BYE
Our Line: USC -15.5   (SP+ USC -17)
Projected Score: NW: 18 - USC: 33 (49)
USC Win prob: 86% | Cover: 55%
NW Travel: 1745 miles, 2 hrs ahead
Trojans (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Lincoln Riley (25 - 14)
Avg Score : 30 - 24 (37 - 24 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 7.1 - 4.9 (#50)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 3) (Good: 3) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 4)
 
Northwestern's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Fri 8/29 Northwestern at Tulane+7.00.0
Sat 9/6 Northwestern vs Western Illinois-21.5
Sat 9/13 Northwestern vs Oregon+26.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/27 Northwestern vs UCLA+2.5
Sat 10/4 Northwestern vs UL Monroe-15.5
Sat 10/11 Northwestern at Penn State+33.5
Sat 10/18 Northwestern vs Purdue-13
Sat 10/25 Northwestern at Nebraska+16.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/8 Northwestern at USC+15.5
Sat 11/15 Northwestern vs Michigan+21
Sat 11/22 Northwestern vs Minnesota+9
Sat 11/29 Northwestern at Illinois+18.5

Total: Elite: 3, Good: 4, Avg 2, Bad 0, Poor 3
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 3, Good: 4, Avg 2, Bad 0, Poor 3
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Northwestern's Schedule
USC's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Fri 8/29 USC vs Missouri State-32.50.0
Sat 9/6 USC vs Georgia Southern-17
Sat 9/13 USC at Purdue-21
Sat 9/20 USC vs Michigan State-10.5
Sat 9/27 USC at Illinois+5.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/11 USC vs Michigan+8
Sat 10/18 USC at Notre Dame+17.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/1 USC at Nebraska+3.5
Sat 11/8 USC vs Northwestern-15.5
Sat 11/15 USC vs Iowa-2
Sat 11/22 USC at Oregon+18.5
Sat 11/29 USC vs UCLA-10.5

Total: Elite: 3, Good: 3, Avg 2, Bad 2, Poor 2
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 3, Good: 3, Avg 2, Bad 2, Poor 2
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for USC's Schedule

Important Stats (2024)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
NW#129 (.02)37% (123)17.839% (113)2.63 (124)9936% (116)1863.02 (127)#57 (.15)45% (106)26.344% (80)46% (117)3.74 (64)38.81.51.3
USC#41 (.24)48% (11)30.252% (10)3.49 (9)13846% (26)2693.76 (85)#78 (.18)44% (94)24.144% (78)44% (103)3.64 (49)461.41.2
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
NW0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
USC0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
NW Offense1217.817.637.1%3.021.516285991863.445%54%39%36%19%.02
USC Defense1324.123.843.8%3.641.2 - - - - - 46%53%44%44%14%.18
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
NW Defense1226.328.845%3.741.3 - - - - - 47%53%44%46%15%.15
USC Offense1330.236.848.4%3.761.4214081382695.540%60%52%46%18%.24

Additional Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Northwestern1229:491633%50%4.838.81.51.34.81.9328
USC1328:1221.345%47%5.3461.41.23.91.5133.7
Run Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
NW Offense1245% (106)39% (113)29.398.63.412 (114).07 (102)2.63 (124)66% (112)11% (98)1.1 (20)
USC Defense1346% (22)44% (78) - - - - .18 (96)3.17 (92)76% (81)7% (127)1 (77)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
NW Defense1247% (26)44% (80) - - - - .07 (42)2.99 (63)69% (47)8% (107)0.86 (15)
USC Offense1340% (126)52% (10)25.2138.45.519 (73).23 (21)3.49 (9)85% (6)8% (24)0.89 (106)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
NW Offense1254% (31)36% (116)17.632.7186.15.710.67 (130)11 (72).02 (132)1.3 (134)35% (119)31% (79).2 (109)8% (121)1.8 (119)
USC Defense1353% (113)44% (103) - - - - - - 10 (66).2 (49)1.3 (4)28% (122)27% (27).14 (6)7% (42)1.8 (8)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
NW Defense1253% (110)46% (117) - - - - - - 10 (66).25 (77)1.4 (13)27% (128)35% (116).28 (55)7% (33)1.8 (24)
USC Offense1360% (9)46% (26)24.138269.27.111.225 (31)12 (85).25 (74)1.5 (108)29% (24)36% (18).4 (36)10% (134)2 (74)

Northwestern's Power Ratings
Northwestern's Power Rating: 2.03 #60
Northwestern's Offense Rating: 11.09 #87
Northwestern's Defense Rating: 9.06 #32
2025 Talent Rating: 826.00 #40
Blue Chip Ratio: 3% #61
Northwestern's 2025 Expected Record: 3.7 - 8.3
Northwestern's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -6.1 #87
Northwestern's Offense SP+ Rating: 17.7 #129
Northwestern's Defense SP+ Rating: 23.8 #39

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 896.44
Average Power Five Talent: 861.13
Average FBS Talent: 684.31

Power Ratings Matchup
Northwestern: 2.03   USC: 13.42

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Northwestern: -6.1   USC: 11.0




USC's Power Ratings
USC's Power Rating: 13.42 #34
USC's Offense Rating: 19.36 #39
USC's Defense Rating: 8.52 #30
2025 Talent Rating: 882.00 #22
Blue Chip Ratio: 37 #18
USC's 2025 Expected Record: 7.1 - 4.9
USC's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 11.0 #30
USC's Offense SP+ Rating: 36.2 #13
USC's Defense SP+ Rating: 25.2 #47

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 896.44
Average Power Five Talent: 861.13
Average FBS Talent: 684.31


Northwestern Scoring
Offense: 17.8 PPG
Offense on Road: 17.6
Defense: 26.3 PPG
Defense on Road: 28.8

Northwestern's 2025 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
USC 33
Northwestern 18

Projected Total Points: 49
USC Scoring
Offense: 30.2 PPG
Offense at Home: 36.8
Defense: 24.1 PPG
Defense at Home: 23.8

USC's 2025 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreWinnerSpreadCoverTotalO/U
TeamWinsCoversO/U
USC000 Overs
Northwestern000 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams0 - 00 - 00 - 00 - 0
Road Teams0 - 00 - 00 - 00 - 0

(#60) Northwestern Info

Preseason ratings
Power Rating: 2.03 #60
Offense Rating: 11.09 #87
Defense Rating: 9.06 #32
Overall SP+ Rating: -6.1 #87
Offense SP+ Rating: 17.7 #129
Defense SP+ Rating: 23.8 #39
Talent Rating: 826.00 #40
Blue Chip Ratio: 3% #61
Expected Record: 3.7 - 8.3

Team Profile
Pass heavy Offense 54%, Run: 45%
Awful Offense Success Rate of 37%
Awful Offensive Explosiveness
Awful in Scoring Position 3.02 PPO
Awful Run Success 39%
Awful Pass Success 36%
Avg OL Grades, Awful OL Yds Per Rush
Good DL Grades, Poor Sacks/Turnovers
Poor Defense Success Rate of 45%
Avg in Scoring Position 3.74 PPO
Bad Run Def Success 44%
Awful Pass Def Success 46%
Bad Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Good Field Position


Northwestern Notes
(5/21) Can WR Wilde (FCS SDSU) bring hope?
(5/21) DL is light, but has exp and some pass rush
(5/21) CBs exp'd but avg, Safeties are good though
(5/21) WR complete rebuild. Depth looks meh, huge ?
(5/21) OL 3/5 back, awful LY. 3 portals, OT Tiernan great
(4/4) RB Porter back, some depth. Run game awful LY
(4/4) Def good LY, returns a lot. 3 portal adds
(4/4) HC Braun dropped from 8 to 4 wins in year 2
(3/22) QB likely Stone (SMU), Lausch started LY
Northwestern     Ratings Matchup     USC
Power #60
#34
Off #87
#39
Def #32
#30
Talent #40
#22
SP+ #87
#30
SP+ Off #129
#13
SP+ Def #39
#47

Weather Forecast
Playing in Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

Team Information
Injuries: NW | USC
Depth Chart: NW | USC
Rosters: NW | USC
(#34) USC Info

Preseason ratings
Power Rating: 13.42 #34
Offense Rating: 19.36 #39
Defense Rating: 8.52 #30
Overall SP+ Rating: 11.0 #30
Offense SP+ Rating: 36.2 #13
Defense SP+ Rating: 25.2 #47
Talent Rating: 882.00 #22
Blue Chip Ratio: 37 #18
Expected Record: 7.1 - 4.9

Team Profile
Very Pass heavy Offense 60%, Run: 40%
Great Offense Success Rate of 48%
Good Offensive Explosiveness
Bad in Scoring Position 3.76 PPO
Great Run Success 52%
Good Pass Success 46%
Bad OL Grades, Great OL Yds Per Rush
Avg DL Grades, Awful Sacks/Turnovers
Poor Defense Success Rate of 44%
Avg in Scoring Position 3.64 PPO
Bad Run Def Success 44%
Poor Pass Def Success 44%
Poor Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Good Field Position


USC Notes
(5/23) Safeties Ramsey & Fitzgerald a strong duo
(5/13) Caden Chittenden (UNLV) top kicker portal add
(4/4) JUCO RB Waymond Jordan looks great early
(3/22) Riley was 1-4 in road games LY. Yikes.
(3/20) QB Maiava good down the stretch LY
(3/20) RB rebuild, Sanders (NM), some talent
(3/20) WR Lemon/Lane a top combo. #3/depth?
(3/20) OL 2/5 back. Took 2 portals. Not clear
(3/20) Def better LY, but lacked sacks/picks/havoc
(3/20) Def lost a lot. Portal adds - 3 DB, 2 DL.


  
Northwestern's OC Zach Lujan
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Jack Lausch15929654%1714785.8
Preston Stone (Tr)305159%421518.3
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Cam Porter12650164.044
Joseph Himon II5225724.951
Jack Lausch8721322.429
Caleb Komolafe5013902.817
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Griffin Wilde (Tr)6410401016.360
Cam Porter2317407.628
Frank Covey IV109809.827
Joseph Himon II159616.422

View Northwestern's Full Roster
Northwestern's DC Tim McGarigle
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Mac Uihlein844201
Yanni Karlaftis (Tr)572121
Robert Fitzgerald461100
Damon Walters424002
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Aidan Hubbard337671
Anto Saka155440
Michael Kilbane203300
Mac Uihlein844201
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Josh Fussell391005
Fred Davis II (Tr)173004
Evan Smith282003

USC's OC Luke Huard
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Jayden Maiava10116960%12011167.1
Makai Lemon11100%390039.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Eli Sanders (Tr)147106497.275
Bryan Jackson3618815.223
Jayden Maiava204542.313
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Makai Lemon52764314.770
Ja'Kobi Lane435251212.233
Prince Strachan (Tr)25304112.237
Lake McRee24245010.234

View USC's Full Roster
USC's DC D'Anton Lynn
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Kamari Ramsey606215
D.J. Harvey (Tr)587206
Bishop Fitzgerald (Tr)557028
Eric Gentry337201
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Braylan Shelby285321
Kamari Ramsey606215
Eric Gentry337201
D.J. Harvey (Tr)587206
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Bishop Fitzgerald (Tr)557028
D.J. Harvey (Tr)587206
Kamari Ramsey606215